Man charged with shooting out windows at Springfield business

A Nixa man is in jail after police say he shot at and damaged a Springfield business in June.

Surveillance video showed a man opening the driver's side door of a vehicle, pointing a handgun and firing five times at a business on North West Bypass before driving away to West Division Street at about 11:16 p.m. June 23, according to a probable cause statement.

The business owner told police that he "immediately" recognized the suspect as 53-year-old Randy Joe Gairson because he has known him for more than two decades, the statement says.

Five windows, walls and a glass door at the business were damaged, according to the probable cause statement. Police found shell casings and bullet fragments at the scene. The damages are estimated to total at least $3,000.

Police obtained multiple messages in which Gairson allegedly threatened the business owner, and by being on the property, Gairson violated an order of protection, documents say.

An officer attempted to speak with Gairson at the Greene County Jail about the incident, but he refused to speak without an attorney present, according to the probable cause statement. He also refused to give an address to law enforcement officials and has out-of-state warrants.

A warrant was issued for Gairson's arrest June 30, according to court records. He is charged with unlawful use of a weapon and violating an order of protection.

To keep the victim and community safe, prosecutors recommended Gairson be denied bail.

"The defendant's violent behavior has been escalating, culminating in the firing of rounds into (the victim's) place of business," the Greene County Prosecutor's Office wrote.

Gairson is currently being held at Greene County Jail. He has a bond reduction hearing scheduled 10:30 a.m. July 10.